The Wheel of the Magical Year is a concept that is deeply rooted in various ancient pagan and indigenous cultures around the world. It represents the cyclical nature of time and the changing of the seasons. At its core, the Wheel of the Magical Year is a representation of the Earth's journey around the Sun. It is divided into eight major points, known as the Wheel of the Year, which mark the important transitions throughout the year. These eight points are commonly observed by many different spiritual and religious traditions, such as Wicca, Druidism, and various Native American practices. The first major point on the Wheel of the Magical Year is the Winter Solstice, also known as Yule.
The first major point on the Wheel of the Magical Year is the Winter Solstice, also known as Yule. This marks the shortest day and longest night of the year, and is seen as a time of rebirth and renewal. It is a time to celebrate the return of the sun and the gradual lengthening of daylight.
The Magical Year: Seasonal Celebrations to Honor Nature's Ever-Turning Wheel (Paperback)
The Celtic seasonal wheel is based on eight festivals – Winter Solstice, Imbolc, Spring Equinox, Beltane, Summer Solstice, Lughnasadh, Autumn Equinox and Samhain. Together, these lead us through the cycle of the year, aligning our awareness with the seasonal pattern of the earth beneath our feet.In this book on the solstices, equinoxes and other festivals within the sacred cycle, Danu Forest reveals the secrets of each festival in turn and skilfully revives ancient traditions, encouraging us to reconnect with nature, and ourselves, with a host of practical ideas and rituals. Decorate your home with beautiful seasonal crafts and altars to manifest sacred space. Make gifts to give to friends, cast spells for creativity, fertility and blessing, and use the abundance of nature in recipes that can be enjoyed as part of your seasonal celebrations or for self-healing and empowerment. Meditate on the changing heavens throughout the year with Celtic star lore. Deepen your experience of the turning seasons, from the rest and renewal of winter through the revels of spring and summer to the soul or spirit nights of autumn with magical guided visualizations. This cycle of conscious celebration helps us, year on year, to align with nature’s rhythms with greater wonder and insight.
Based on sound extensive research, as well as many years of practical experience through both personal practice and teaching, the book will act as a guide for weaving a new, more soulful way of living into readers’ everyday existence.
About the Author
Danu Forest has been a practising druid witch and Celtic shaman for over twenty years, has been teaching Celtic shamanism and witchcraft for over a decade, and runs a shamanic consultation and healing practice. She is the author of Nature Spirits: wyrd lore and wild fey magic (Wooden Books), The Druid Shaman (Moon Books) and Celtic Tree Magic (Llewellyn), creates and teaches email correspondence courses, writes a "Danu's Cauldron" blog for witchesandpagans.com, and has been published in magazines such as Kindred Spirit, Soul and Spirit, and Pagan Dawn. She is also an Ard BanDrui in the Irish Druid Clan of Dana, an ordained priestess, a druid grade member of OBOD (Order of Bards, Ovates (healers/seers) and Druids) and a member of The Society of Shamanic Practitioners. For more information, see www.danuforest.co.uk
Praise For…
'The Magical Year is a fabulous collection of traditional lore, activity suggestions, recipes, rituals, deities and prayers to help us connect to and draw wisdom from the seasons. An invaluable resource for anyone new to the festivals of the Wheel of the Year but also an enjoyable read for those who have long celebrated these magical shifts in nature.' - Philip Carr-Gomm, Author and Chief Druid of OBOD
'An insightful guide, rich with Danu Forest's understanding of the ancient ways, traditions, folklore and magical lore behind the seasonal celebrations.' - Glennie Kindred, Author and Artist
- Body, Mind & Spirit / Magick Studies
- Body, Mind & Spirit / Celtic Spirituality
- Body, Mind & Spirit / Witchcraft
'The Magical Year is a fabulous collection of traditional lore, activity suggestions, recipes, rituals, deities and prayers to help us connect to and draw wisdom from the seasons. An invaluable resource for anyone new to the festivals of the Wheel of the Year but also an enjoyable read for those who have long celebrated these magical shifts in nature.' - Philip Carr-Gomm, Author and Chief Druid of OBOD
As the Wheel turns, the next major point is Imbolc, also known as Candlemas. This marks the beginning of spring, when new life starts to emerge. It is a time to honor the growing strength of the sun and to celebrate the fertility and abundance of the Earth. Following Imbolc is Ostara, also known as the Spring Equinox. This marks the point of perfect balance between day and night, and is a time of growth and new beginnings. It is a time to celebrate the return of life to the Earth and the blooming of flowers. Next on the Wheel is Beltane, also known as May Day. This marks the beginning of summer and is seen as a time of passion and fertility. It is a time to celebrate the coming abundance of the Earth and to honor the union of the masculine and feminine energies. The halfway point on the Wheel is the Summer Solstice, also known as Litha. This marks the longest day and shortest night of the year, and is a time of high energy and abundance. It is a time to celebrate the peak of the sun's power and the abundance of the Earth's fruits. Following the Summer Solstice is Lughnasadh, also known as Lammas. This marks the beginning of the harvest season and is a time of gratitude and reflection. It is a time to celebrate the hard work and abundance of the Earth, and to give thanks for the bountiful harvest. Next on the Wheel is Mabon, also known as the Autumn Equinox. This marks the point of perfect balance between day and night, and is a time of gratitude and balance. It is a time to celebrate the abundance of the Earth and to honor the transition from light to dark. The final point on the Wheel is Samhain, also known as Halloween or the Day of the Dead. This marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. It is a time to honor and remember our ancestors and to celebrate the thinning of the veil between the worlds. Overall, the Wheel of the Magical Year represents the ever-changing nature of life and the cyclical patterns that are present in the natural world. It is a reminder to live in harmony with these rhythms and to honor the cycles of growth, death, and rebirth. By observing and celebrating the Wheel of the Magical Year, we can deepen our connection to the Earth and to the greater mysteries of life itself..
Reviews for "The Wheel of the Magical Year: Celebrating Nature's Abundance"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Wheel of the magical year". The story was confusing and the characters felt one-dimensional. I couldn't connect with any of them and found the plot to be slow-moving. Overall, it just didn't live up to my expectations and I wouldn't recommend it.
2. Mark - 1 star - I couldn't even get through "Wheel of the magical year". The writing was overly descriptive and filled with unnecessary details. It made the story feel bloated and difficult to follow. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unrealistic. I ended up giving up on the book because I just couldn't get into it.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - "Wheel of the magical year" had an interesting concept, but it fell short in execution. The pacing was off and the plot seemed to drag on without much happening. The characters were also quite forgettable and lacked depth. I wanted to enjoy the book, but it just didn't engage me enough.
4. Michael - 2 stars - I found "Wheel of the magical year" to be predictable and lacking originality. The story followed a typical fantasy formula without bringing anything new to the genre. The writing style was also not to my liking, with long paragraphs and excessive use of adjectives. It just didn't captivate me as I had hoped it would.
5. Amanda - 3 stars - While "Wheel of the magical year" had its moments, overall, it didn't leave a lasting impression. The world-building was interesting, but the plot lacked depth and the pacing felt inconsistent. The characters were also underdeveloped, making it difficult to become invested in their stories. It was an okay read, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it.